CentralTrak Invites Weekend Visitors to Look as Well as Listen

CentralTrak, the University of Texas at Dallas artist residency and gallery, will offer art to be seen as well as heard in two free events this weekend.

“I hope for a good turnout,” said Heyd Fontenot, the director of CentralTrak. “We want people to come see the space where UT Dallas students live and work.”

On Friday, in a mix of poetry and painting, Mike Guinn will offer a spoken-word performance related to art hanging at the gallery. The featured artist is El Franco Lee II, whose socially reflective paintings confront controversial and unsettling subject matter—such as hip-hop cultural turf wars and the tragedies of post-Katrina New Orleans.

Guinn, a native Texan who holds a master’s degree in social work, was inspired by his job with Child Protective Services to write and perform poetry that advocates for social justice. Guinn’s performance is at 7 p.m. Friday.

On Saturday, CentralTrak will open its doors to the public as part of the Deep Ellum Art Walk. The El Franco Lee II exhibit will be available for viewing from 6 to 10 p.m.

During the 11th Semi-Annual Deep Ellum Art Walk, the galleries of Deep Ellum and Expo Park will be open for art viewing, shopping, music, food and drink. The event is free and galleries are within walking distance to each other. The DART Green Line is available to take patrons from the Deep Ellum and Baylor stations to the Fair Park station in the Expo Park area. Art works on display include paintings, photography, sculpture, experiential and performance art in styles ranging from classic to modern.